Metastatic Breast Cancer

Living With Metastatic Disease

Any woman who has faced breast cancer lives with the fear that her cancer will return. And the first response many women have to the news of metastases is to fear that they will soon die.

If you have metastatic disease, you will learn a new definition of metastatic cancer—"a chronic disease that can be managed." It's a very different way of looking at cancer. You can expect to have periods of treatment, followed by periods of remission, with fairly good quality of life throughout.

Emotionally, this can be tough. You may want to talk with a chaplain or social worker or join a support group. SCCA has several support groups for patients and for caregivers and family members.

The combination of exercise and support offered by Team Survivor Northwest is a powerful one for women facing a serious illness. Team Survivor, an exercise program for women in cancer treatment, and for cancer survivors, has helped many women cope with metastatic disease.

 

August 2007